Diocesan Synod March 2021

This was the second Diocesan Synod held via Zoom. We are pleased to say that there was very high attendance for this Synod, and those involved took part in discussing the topic, 'Be Political', in which a lively debate occurred with many actively getting involved.

Bishop Martin led his presidential address and reiterated the importance for churches to focus their efforts on growing younger and to grow in diversity.

“…And crucially we’ve seen that to be the church is to be outward facing, outward focused, outward towards God in prayer and worship, outward towards our neighbours near and far, in mission and service. And of course one, is bound up with the other.”

He also expressed gratitude to everyone who is working to help achieve these goals;

“I am hugely grateful to my colleagues, to Mike for taking on a number of additional responsibilities, and to Dean Joe and Archdeacon David, Jeanette, Sally and Rhiannon for picking up their share of that. My impression is that they are rather enjoying it.”

“My gratitude goes to everyone who in what ever way is serving Christ in the diocese, clergy and lay ministers, congregations in their daily lives, however strange or disrupted those lives have been…"

Bishop Martin | Presidential Address

Be Political

"We must recognise what being political means, celebrate what is already happening, understand what is next, and debate the motion."

 

The motion moved by the Revd Tony Redman was debated and approved:

Resolving to listen to God and discern his call on how and when to engage in political issues and in seeking God’s Kingdom; this Synod commits to improve our engagement with local issues for the common good by:

  1. Resolving to influence and shape local policy debate, through encouraging Bishops and their senior staff to continue to be actively engaged with MPs and local and national policymakers on appropriate matters;
  2. Encouraging all parishes and benefices to engage with local political and community leaders and processes, to bring about change for the common good within the communities they serve and beyond and;
  3. Creating and recruiting for a volunteer role that will foster, coordinate, advise and resource such political engagement (see below).

 

Diocesan Synod Minutes (Draft) | PDF

Be Political Diocesan Synod Powerpoint Slides | PPTX

How to Engage Politically | PDF

Political Engagement Enabler Volunteer Role | Weblink

 

Flourishing Congregations Making a Difference Video

Flourishing Congregations video | Weblink

Page last updated: Wednesday 5th May 2021 3:53 PM
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